Penguins Sidney Crosby (87) is defended by Capitals Karl Alzner (27) and goalie Tomas Vokoun (29) as he tries to score in the third period as the Washington Capitals host the Pittsburg Penguins at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC, Thursday, December 1, 2011. The Penguins won 2-1. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby battles for the puck with Washington Capitals' Jeff Halpern in the second period at the Verizon Center in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011. The Caps lost 2-1 and have struggled to create offense lately in part to their difficulty moving the puck out of the defensive zone. (Rod Lamkey Jr/ The Washington Times)
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby warms up prior to an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graham Hughes)
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby has two goals and nine assists in five games played since returning from a concussion. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby warms up prior to an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graham Hughes)
Penguins center Sidney Crosby, taking a hit from St. Louis defenseman Ian Cole on Nov. 23, has two goals and nine assists in five games since returning from a 10 1/2-month layoff absence because of post-concussion symptoms. (Associated Press)
Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates his first-period goal during an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh on Monday, Nov. 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh star center Sidney Crosby hasn't played since absorbing blows to the head in successive games Jan. 1 against Washington and Jan. 5 against Tampa Bay. Crosby wasn't injured in the sequence here with Capitals defenseman Mike Green. (Associated Press)
Pittsburgh star center Sidney Crosby hasn't played since absorbing blows to the head in successive games Jan. 1 against Washington (above) and Jan. 5 against Tampa Bay. Crosby wasn't injured in the sequence here with Capitals defenseman Mike Green. (Associated Press)
